An Auckland-based licensed immigration advisor has denied involvement in an alleged fake jobs scheme that duped over 140 Indian and Bangladeshi migrants.
Newshub broke news of the investigation after finding dozens of migrants crammed into two unsanitary and overcrowded homes in Papakura.
The investigation eventually identified several other properties and individuals linked to the case.
The migrants paid tens of thousands of dollars for jobs in New Zealand but never received the work promised, eventually calling police after their food supply was cut off.
Last week, Immigration NZ said Newshub's footage "shocked New Zealand, and undermined trust and confidence in our immigration system".
The licensed immigration advisor appeared in Auckland District Court on Thursday.
He entered not guilty pleas to two charges of providing false and misleading information to Immigration New Zealand.
He was granted interim name suppression. The name of his business is also suppressed.
The charges follow three search warrants executed at his business and home.
The alleged scam required migrants to pay between $20,000 and $40,000 for a job and a visa.
Immigration New Zealand says the jobs did not exist.
Investigations National Manager Stephanie Greathead said the scam preyed on the vulnerability of people looking to improve their livelihoods by coming to New Zealand.
"Immigration New Zealand continues to investigate this case to bring all those responsible to justice," she said.
Investigations into people linked to the case are ongoing.
